Dry

And feeling almost human. I did my laundry and even got to dry my sleeping bag. My sleeping mat is still slimy, but I have no idea how to deal with that sans the sun. I was really worried about the future of my walk earlier. For the immediate future because of the rain, and the near future because of finances. I am not what you would call a financial genius. Most days it doesn't bother me, but with the whole, deluge of rain thing, and my lack of sleep, I was just plain worried. Chewing my lip and feeling anxious. So I prayed about it. Don't look at me like that. I actually pray a good amount. Food is mostly covered, but its the miscellaneous other things that crop up, like my new $15 wardrobe. I also found out there is a state park right across the street, but like everything here in the armpit if the south, it costs the same as a hotel room in some places. So, I was planning on spending my last bit of change on that Cadillac camping spot. But that would leave me with like 10 bucks. And I was definitely going to do it, but really anxious about it. After all, I could buy a whole rain suit for that. I don't mind sleeping in a tent, and have gotten used to sleeping on every contoured surface imaginable. I've gotten used to bathing with baby wipes, and I've even come up with a solution to do my laundry on the road. But the rain just kills you on the walk. Wet, damp, rain in your face, cars splashing you as they go by. It just sucks when it rains. So I prayed. I prayed for something entirely out of my hands. And an hour later the Duane texted me and made a donation to the burrito fund. What a relief. And now things are simpler. I started this walk to find my happy place, both inside and out. I'm getting there.

Panama City beach

I slept behind a liquor store on the beach road where at least one homeless guy slept. I was wary, but slept deeply anyway. Maybe I'm just getting used to it. I wasn't going to go onto the beach til later because I didn't want to get all sticky and sandy, but I couldn't resist. Besides, its really not that crowded this early in the morning. The water felt so good. And the sand is like a soft pumice on my feet. I almost feel clean with the wind and the water and the sand. A great way to start off the day! At least until I try and put my shoes back on. There's this fog that hangs over the sky, like a mist before the rain. It keeps the sun and heat tolerable. My walk for the next 20 plus miles is along the beachfront, and then another 20 a little down the road. Should be real nice. The only negative if the day is that the humidity for the last few days had been intolerable and made all my clothes smell bad. I used the cologne I bought but the combination is like a garbage truck passing through an area of freshly cut grass. I know, I have my moments with the metaphors😁. Hopefully someone with a beach house will feel pity on me and let me stay for awhile so I can feel clean and normal for a bit. I can wish anyway. But I suppose this is the new normal.

Panama City beach

I slept behind a liquor store on the beach road where at least one homeless guy slept. I was wary, but slept deeply anyway. Maybe I'm just getting used to it. I wasn't going to go onto the beach til later because I didn't want to get all sticky and sandy, but I couldn't resist. Besides, its really not that crowded this early in the morning. The water felt so good. And the sand is like a soft pumice on my feet. I almost feel clean with the wind and the water and the sand. A great way to start off the day! At least until I try and put my shoes back on. There's this fog that hangs over the sky, like a mist before the rain. It keeps the sun and heat tolerable. My walk for the next 20 plus miles is along the beachfront, and then another 20 a little down the road. Should be real nice. The only negative if the day is that the humidity for the last few days had been intolerable and made all my clothes smell bad. I used the cologne I bought but the combination is like a garbage truck passing through an area of freshly cut grass. I know, I have my moments with the metaphors😁. Hopefully someone with a beach house will feel pity on me and let me stay for awhile so I can feel clean and normal for a bit. I can wish anyway. But I suppose this is the new normal.